Catie: Saartje's Booties

It is hot here.

Oh, it is so hot and humid.  Maybe worse than the east coast, but maybe not.  Still, it is hot and we are without an air conditioner.

So, I am knitting tiny things that do not touch my legs or arms or even my hands, really:

These are called Saartje's Booties (I think you say Saartje like "Sartcha" sort of, that's how I say it and I am smart).  I have been meaning to make them for a long time, but now it is hot and I have little bits of sock yarn and things left over from bigger projects that I want to use up, so I making lots of teeny weeny baby things.

These were so quick.  I made them last night after dinner.  I know some people say they come out really tiny and they are a bit small, but they're super stretchy, too.

And anyway, I made them for our friend Landon's new baby and they make Korean babies real tiny, so even though she's 3 months old, I think they'll fit.

Saturday was her first 100 days party.  We didn't go and this isn't the traditional gift of money and gold rings, but we're the dumb Americans.  So, I think it's okay.

I didn't have too much trouble parting with them since they were so quick to make, but they are so super cute that I did kind of want to hold them all day and sleep with them under my pillow.

They're made of Ultra Alpaca Fine which is 50% wool, 30% nylon, 20% alpaca.  Alpaca is super warm so it should fit the Korean keep-your-baby-very-warm-even-in-the-drenching-heat bill.  Poor kid.  It's also really soft and a little hairy.  I held it double since it's so thin.

Now, I'm starting on this, which looks easy and quick.  I picked up some real weird yarn at the downstairs store today and had I noticed then what was in it, I may have reconsidered.

The label reads: 

Biosof Multi-functional Yarn blended with Mirawave

Gentle machine wash warm in approved detergent (are there detergents approved for Mirawave?  What IS Mirawave?)

Do not bleanch (that's right, please refrain from bleaNching)

Mirawave 50%

Tencel 30%

Cool Wool 20%

I know that Tencel is a fiber made from wood.  And I know that Cool Wool is a brand name of something in America, but I don't think it's a particular sort of fiber.  I can't find anything when I google it.

Mirawave, however, is.. ridiculous.

Or awesome?  In a completely ridiculous sort of way.

It's benefits are said to include:


Anti-static, anti-odor and antibacterical properties
Thermal regulation
UVA and UVB protection (don't all clothes do this..?)
...as well improving your metabolism and "bettering blood circulation".

No wonder they don't sell it in America.. It would be laughed right off the shelves.  I know there are super great fibers out there, but this is just a little... a little something.

Apparently, it's some fiber blended with silver?  There's no real explanation of what exactly is going on. I'm a little scared to make anything that a baby might wear out of it, but I'll wash it after I make it, so maybe that will make it a little less radioactive.

At least I know the baby will BE PROTECTED.  From so, so many things.

The websites say it protects against staph infections and pneumonia.


My question is: Why doesn't EVERY baby have a sweater made out of this?  Or, better yet, a full suit of ARMOR.